Inside Line stated that BMW is deciding on whether or not they will be adding the direct-injected 2.0 liter four-pot engine all the way from Europe to the 3-Series here in the States. The 170-hp engine powers the 320i and 120i across the pond. The ultra-efficient powerplant averages over 38 mpg in the European combined test cycle while still providing the razor-sharp handling that is BMW’s trademark.

Oliver Friedmann - the project director for BMW - stated that s 4-Cylinder petrol model will have a “desirable effect” in the U.S. Of course that doesn’t mean that this is official. He did state that the U.S. is not yet ready for a diesel 4-cylinder. Of course I think that we are all ready for a good change and will gladly welcome it.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

It has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $8,255 (excluding freight). The Standard Package, offered at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $9,760, (excluding freight) includes heated hand grips, Anti-Lock Brakes, an on-board computer, and white turn signals. The 2009 F 650 GS is available in three colors - Flame Red, Iceberg Silver Metallic, and Azur Blue Metallic.

Ideal for on- or off-road riding, urban commuting and any rider looking for a fun, efficient and reliable motorcycle. Its rigid steel tube trellis frame, double-sided swing arm and chain drive offer reliability. A low seat height and narrow design make navigation through the worst traffic a breeze. Cast aluminum wheels and telescopic forks keep the ride smooth and precise at all times.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

The eight replaced the inline-six on the previous model, but instead of remaining content to say “good job on the extra two cylinders”, Dinan asks what happened to the extra two from the V10. Not that they would have been happy with the V10, either. On that, Dinan pushed and pushed, boring and stroking out the engine’s ten cylinders until they got it up to 5.7 liters and 628 horsepower. Pretty sick, but saddled with the heft of a BMW 5 or 6.

Word has it now that Dinan is preparing to shoehorn in its 628-hp concoction into the M3’s engine bay. Thankfully they’ll be lightening it up a little after that, removing some of the bulk from the front end in order to keep the weight balance in check.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

The three motors are all based on the same 80 degree, four-valve per cylinder, liquid-cooled, V-twin cylinder lay-out. The smallest is 500cc making around 33bhp, the next is a 650 belching out around 55bhp while the top of range will be 800cc that kicks out 75bhp. According to the factory moles, any thoughts of front-wheel drive have been ditched by the firm in order to keep costs down. Paralever suspension seemd on the cards for the entire range though.

Jean-Michel Cavret, director of the division motion of BMW France, said: “The president of the division BMW motion, Hendrik Von Kuenheim is convinced that we must make a scooter, therefore we are working on the project. We want to be open to new markets and it is for that reason that we produce the motor of the G450X for Kymco and the G650X to the Loncin Chinese factory.”

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

Meanwhile, other reports suggest that the green light in Munich has been given instead to a smaller crossover to be based on the 1-Series platform, which would enable BMW to expand its X range with an X1 instead of an X7. Smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient is probably a smarter direction to head in these times than bigger, heavier and greater guzzler.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

It will be getting a brand new active suspension with a ride height that has been lowered by up to 10mm in the back and 12mm in the front. It has also been equipped with a new front hood and new wheels.

With or without the Competition Package, however, the entire M6 range (coupe and convertible) gets new side mirrors, a new electronics package controlled by the revised iDrive system and a new shade of black for the exterior.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

The new CSL will be getting new suspension, better tires, and few engine upgrades that could raise the horsepower by 50. This increase could enable it to rev from 0 to 62 mph close to 4.5 seconds.

Expect the newest CSL to run well into the six figure territory for asking price, and to sell in limited runs of a few thousand or less.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

The interior has been equipped with BMW’s ConnectedDrive in the car internet along with an 80-gigabyte hard drive. Both the wagon and sedan models come available with 6-speed automatic or manual transmissions.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

BMW’s product development director Friedrich Eichiner and Fiat’s power train technologies unit Alfredo Altavilla will be the ones in charge and the ones to sign the contract. They will make their decision by the end of the year if not earlier.

Eichiner said the two companies would explore the possiblity of using common components and systems in cars made by each brand while Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne said the deal marked “a major milestone in the execution of our strategy of cooperation.”

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

The majority of the money, about $750M, will be spent on increasing production at its plant South Carolina plant from 160,000 units to 240,000 by 2012. The move makes abundant sense given the fact that the German automaker is taking a massive hit by shipping vehicles from higher cost Europe to the lower cost U.S.

BMW is spending $100M on expanding its headquarters and another $170M to increase parts distribution centers, which should be welcome news for BMW owners who can face high wait times for parts. BMW has been tearing up the sales charts in the U.S. for quite a while, and with an added $1B getting spent on facilities Stateside.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!